2010 Olympics: Team Russia

2010 Olympic hockey is going be very interesting simply because as Marty Brodeur has put it, this games will be a changing of the guards so to speak. Many countries will have many new faces on their squads and the next generation is ready to start taking over. Players like Joe Sakic, Mats Sundin, Jeremy Roenick, and so on are no longer the focus of their nations and the younger stars are ready to represent their countries.

The Russian's are no different. I truely believe Team Russia will be on the one position of the podium unless something unforseeable happens. They have a nice mix of youth and experience that complements their talent finely. It's hard to believe such a talented core can fail this Olympic games. I really see Canada as their main competition.

LW - C - RW

Alexander Ovechkin - Evgeni Malkin - Alexei Kovalev (C)

Ilya Kovalchuk - Pavel Datsyuk - Alexander Radulov

Alexander Semin - Alexei Yashin - Aleksey Morozov (A)

Alexander Frolov - Sergei Fedorov (A) - Maxim Sushinski

LD - RD

Andrei Markov - Sergei Gonchar

Dmitri Kalinen - Fedor Tyutin

Anton Volchenkov - Sergei Zubov

STARTER - BACKUP

Nikolai Khabibulin - Evgeni Nabokov

SUBS = G Ilya Bryzgalov, F Sergei Mozyakin and D Vitaly Atyushov

1st line: The Russians 1st line is going to be a powerhouse with Ovechkin and Malkin alone but add the captain Alexei Kovalev and you have a bit of experience to that mix. Kovalev has the leadership abilities despite what many say as most young Russian's look up to him a lot. Ovechkin provides that little extra jam and spark for the primary line, while Malkin has the play making abilities to feed and setup ether of his wingmen. When Alexei Kovalev's on his game he can be one of the best players in the game still at age 37.

2nd Line: The 2nd line is yet another offensive force with Kovalchuk, Datsyuk and Radulov. Datsyuk provides the strong defensive play up the middle while having the abilities to setup Radulov and Kovalchuk. Kovalchuk's phenomenal play the last few World Championships have proved his heart when it comes to his nation. He consistently can make or break and important game with a lethal wrist shot and the knack for scoring timely goals. Radulov while hated in the US and North America for his high profile defection and contract breaking move to the KHL has imense talent and is still developing. Adding him to the mix with superstars Kovalchuk and defensively responsibile Datsyuk only makes sense.

3rd line: The 3rd line is not quite offensive as the second or 1st but still can pack a punch. Former Islander Alexei Yashin will lead the charge simply because he has become the poster boy for the KHL. The league promotes him heavily so he will comand a spot on the roster, not to say he isn't talented enough to make it. Yashin will bring size and playmaking to the line while Aleksey Morozov another KHL star will be left to do the back checking. Alexander Semin will be expected to light the lamp and provide most of the offense for the 3rd line.

4th Line: The 4th line is the Russian's shut down line with Sergei Fedorov expected to play his usual defensive role and fill in on defense when needed. Fedorov brings a wealth of experience and is the Russian's most defensively responsible player. Alexander Frolov on his left will add size and a touch around the net giving the Russian's yet another scoring threat. Russian National Team fixture Maxim Sushinski should be on the right side baring any unseen injuries or darkhorses.

1st Pairing: Andrei Markov is by far the Russian's best overall defenseman and quite possible one of the NHL's most underated. Markov brings offense, playmaking, and defensive reliability on the top line while Sergei Gonchar is expected to bring the offense mainly. Gonchar will be a fixture on the powerplay as well.

2nd Pairing: Dmitri Kalinen is a quiet but reliable D capable of chipping in some offense for time to time. Fedor Tyutin will be the man when it comes to second pairing offense although he hasn't quite shown that on the NHL level yet.

3rd Pairing: Anton Volchenkov the human shot blocking machine will be at his shut down best this winter at the Games. He'll be expected to block everything coming at him while giving the Russian's some toughness and physical play something this team desperatly needs. His partner Sergei Zubov is an offensive threat anytime he's on the ice but he's no longer able to log the heavy minutes he used to. He also is a steady defensive threat as well and should shoulder some of the leadership load as he knows what it takes to win.

Goaltending: Goaltending wont really be an issue I don't believe as Nikolai Khabibulin should get one final shot at winning the gold before he is replaced. It would take an ijury or a bad season to keep his from this roster. He is steady and reliable. He also has shown in last years playoffs he can step it up whenever it's needed and wants to show he still belongs. His back-up Evgeni Nabokov is also a much capable starter as well but has problems with incosistantcy when his team struggles to get going. It's almost Iyla Bryzgalov's time to shine and he'll most likely watch from the pressbox this year before taking over one of the two roles next Winter Games.

On The Outs: A few former Russian fixtures and could be's wont be back in my mind but some may make the squad due to injuries, turn downs or steller play before the Olympics. Defenseman Darius Kasparaitis could be one of those players that could be held back just due to his age and declining play. His game is built on toughness and physical play so the Russian's may choose to add him just for that very reason. Another name is Victor Kozlov as he could make it on the 4th line of they decide Maxim Sushinski is too old for this blossoming team. he could easily fill in on any of the lines. Maxim Afinogenov is another Russian who has the talent but not the heart to compete and it may hold back his Olympic chances especially without a NHL team so far this season. Sergei Samsonov is also in the same boat, tons of talent but little "give". Danny Markov's defensive play might be missed but with Volchi on the third pairing he most likely will not be missed at all. Nikolai Zherdev has the talent to be on this team but his defensive play may make him the odd man out. It's hard to belive they'll cut ether Kovalev, Morozov or Radulov.

Darkhorse Rookies: A few names to think about are up and coming Russian rookies Nikita Filatov and Dmitri Kulikov. Nikita Filatov has the drive to play a North American style and is a magician with the puck. The only thing he may lack is maturity but with a good season in the NHL next season he may be a sleeper for the Games. Dmitri Kulikov is a long shot be who knows with a big first season in the NHL he may be the puck moving defenseman the Russian's cant overlook. Goalie Semen Varlamov had a spectacular playoff run with the Washington Capitols and it surely locked down his spot in the NHL for the season. Whether or not his play can bump out the other 3 goalies is hard to imagine but anything is possible. Another name to think about is Denis Zaripov of the KHL. He finished the season with a pretty impressive 65 points and he's been a star in the RSL for quite sometime. Last of all Evgeny Artyukhin may not be a rookie or the most offensive but he might be a candidate to help shut down Canada's top lines with his big body and physical play.